Rajab
marks the beginning of the spiritual season of every believer ending
with the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with the Eid Al Fitr.
These three months are unmatched in their importance. Praise be to
the Almighty and thanks to Him for granting us yet another
opportunity to cleanse ourselves of our sins and oversights.

The Holy
Prophet (pbuh&hh) has said:“Rajab
is a great month of Allah, unmatched by any other month in
the respect and significance (accorded to it); war with the
infidels during this month is prohibited; Verily, Rajab is
Allah’s month, Sha’aban my month and Ramadan the month of my
Ummah; whosoever fasts a day in the month of Rajab
will be granted the great reward of Ridwan (an angel in
heaven); the wrath of Allah shall be distanced and a door of
the Hell shall be closed.”

Fasting is one of the most recommended acts during this
spiritual season. It becomes Wajib during the month of
Ramadan, but is highly recommended during the months of
Rajaband Sha’baan. As will be noted from
the Hadith above and others to follow, fasting, be it for
only one day during these months, is rewarded with untold
bounties.

Salmaan Farsi narrates that the Final messenger of Allah (pbuh&hh)
said that there is a day in the month of Rajab on
which if a person fasts and does Qiyaamul Lail (night vigil
) on that night, he will receive rewards like a person who
fasts for 100 years and does Qiyaamul Lail for nights of 100
years. This night is the night of the 27th (Rajab)
and the day of the 27th (Rajab).
This is the day on which Hadrat Mohammad (pbuh&hh) was
appointed to Messengerhood, (Ghuniyatut Talibeen, Tarteeb
Shareef page 781)

Imam Kazim (as) is reported to have said "Rajab is (the name of) a River in
paradise that is whiter than milk & sweeter than honey.
Allah will allow one to drink from this river if he fasts
for even one day in this month. It is also a month of
seeking forgiveness more than usual as Allah is forgiving &
merciful during this month.

It is also a prelude to the month of Ramadan, because
Ramadan follows it after the intervening month of Shaban.
Therefore, When the moon of
Rajab (seventh month of the
Islamic calendar) was sighted, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh&hh)
used to read the following supplication (prayer):

"Oh Allah! Grant us blessings in the months of Rajab
and Shaban and take us forth to Ramadan."
Imam Musa Al- Kadhim, 7th Shiite Innocent Imams (Pbuh)
stated:

"Rajab
is a great month, during which Allah multiplies the rewards
of good deeds and omits the sins."
These are some useful points for this month:

Fasting
It is highly recommended to fast in this month of Rajab
even for one day at least. A hadith stated by holy Prophet (PBUH&HH):

"Whosoever fasts a day in Rajab, the fire of the Hell
will be away from him a distance of one year’s journey, and
whosoever fasts 3 days in Rajab,
will be entitled for the Paradise."

Imam Ali (as) used to fast the whole month ofRajab.
Many of his followers do the same.

Seeking Forgiveness (Estighfaar)
The Prophet (PBUH&HH) used to say:

Rajab
is a month of seeking forgiveness, so seek forgiveness from
Allah; He is verily the Forgiver, the Merciful. It is highly
recommended to repeat ‘Astaghfirullaah’.

Charity (Sadaqa)

There is a big reward for charity in the month of
Rajab.
Those who cannot fast may give charity to the poor
every day.

Repeating ‘Laa ilaaha illa-Allah’
1000 times.

Repeating ‘Astaghfirullaaha zul
jalale wal Ikraam min jamee' al zonoobe wal aathaam‘1000
times. In order to enter Ramadan in the best possible
manner, one has to prepare himself in the months of Rajab
and Shaban.

It has been said that Rajab
is the month to sow the seeds of good actions, Shaban is the
month in which we should water those seeds and Ramadan is
the month in which we reap the harvest.

May Allah grant you more blessings in this month and every
month to do more for the real future in the Hereafter.

Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq (as) used to recite the following
supplication, everyday, in the Month of Rajab, after Fajr
and Maghrib prayers:

O he from whom I ask for and expect fulfillment in every
good (I do); and in whom I confide to seek safety from His
displeasure for every evil I do!

O He who gives much in return of very little (good
deeds)! O He who puts into the hands of the supplicant what
he asks for, O He who (also) let needy, who does not ask
for, have what he needs, though he remembers Him not, Feels
compassion, and takes pity on them!

Give me as a gift good in all my objectives in this world
and in the Hereafter, let me free myself from evil in all my
activities in this world and in the Hereafter, because,
surely, what Thou gives never goes waste or grows less, and
from Thy bounties let me have more and more O the Generous
Compassionate.

Night of Wishes:The Holy Prophet (s.a) has
said, that these prayers are Means of forgiveness and On
the first night in our grave,, the Almighty will send the
reward off this prayer in the best,, enlightened and
eloquent form.. When inquired,, will reply,, ‘‘My Beloved,,
glad tidings to you that you have found salvation from every
hardship and horror..’’ When asked,, ‘‘Who are you?’’ ‘‘By
God I haven't seen any one more beautiful than you,, I
haven't heard a word sweeter than yours,, or a fragrance
better than you?’’ In reply,, ‘‘I am,, that prayer which you
offered on the eve off the first Friday of the month of
Rajab. I have come to you,, to be your companion in this
loneliness,, to remove from you your fright and horror.. Be
lest assured that my shelter will be with you until the
blowing off the Horn off the Day off Judgment..’’